The moment Adam stepped outside, a dozen microphones thrust toward his face.
"Mr. Cole! Do you have any comment about today's verdict?"
"Will you be filing an appeal?"
"Do you regret marrying Sophia Lancaster?"
Adam stopped on the courthouse steps, taking in the sea of eager faces. He considered saying something clever—something that would trend online within the hour.
Instead, he just smiled politely. "No comment."
A ripple of disappointment passed through the crowd. The cameras kept rolling, hoping he'd slip up or break down.
He didn't.
With calm, deliberate steps, he descended to the waiting car—a sleek black sedan with tinted windows. He climbed into the back seat and closed the door with a satisfying finality, shutting out the chaos.
As the driver pulled away, Adam took out his phone again. The screen lit up with the system's interface: dark, efficient, and almost… expectant.
> **BUSINESS ASCENSION SYSTEM**
>
> First Mission:
>
> Acquire a 15% stake in **Weyland Dynamics**, a mid-sized logistics company currently undervalued.
>
> Time Limit: 72 hours.
>
> Reward: Negotiation Skill – Level 1.
>
> Failure Penalty: None (Tutorial Phase).
Adam's eyebrow lifted. Weyland Dynamics. He knew the name—a company that Sophia's family had tried to buy out last year. It was a smart choice: stable cash flow, modest leadership, good growth potential.
*Interesting,* he thought. *So this isn't just random. This system knows exactly where to hurt them.*
A tiny notification icon blinked in the corner. He tapped it.
> **Tip:** Would you like assistance locating suitable funding sources?
>
> \[YES] \[NO]
Adam chuckled under his breath. The driver glanced nervously in the mirror, as if worried he'd lost his mind.
"No," Adam said softly. "I think I can manage this part myself."
After all, he hadn't spent five years in Sophia's family empire sitting around doing nothing. People assumed he was decorative—an accessory to her success—but Adam had been paying attention. He'd watched the deals, studied the numbers, learned every name on every contract.
He knew exactly where to begin.
He pulled up his contacts list and scrolled to a number saved under *Marcus T.*—an old friend and an independent venture capitalist. Marcus owed him more than a few favors.
Adam tapped *Call.*
It rang twice before a brisk voice answered. "Adam? I was just about to message you. Hell of a day, huh?"
"You could say that," Adam replied evenly. "Listen, I need to liquidate a few holdings and secure bridge financing. Interested in a quick deal?"
There was a pause, then Marcus's tone shifted—warmer, curious. "Depends. What are you planning?"
"Something… educational," Adam said, allowing a trace of amusement into his voice.
Marcus laughed. "I always liked the way you think. Send me the details—I'll have my analysts look it over."
"Good. Expect a draft within the hour."
He ended the call and leaned back in the seat, letting the hum of the engine steady his thoughts.
Outside, the city sped by—towering glass buildings and busy sidewalks, all oblivious to the fact that something was changing.
Adam closed his eyes for a moment. For the first time in months, he felt the spark of purpose igniting in his chest.
He opened them again when the system chimed softly.
> **Note:** You may access the Market Insight Module to enhance your analysis.
>
> Caution: Overuse in Tutorial Phase may cause mental fatigue.
"Duly noted," Adam muttered.
The car turned a corner, and he spotted a familiar building—his old co-working space, a modest glass tower sandwiched between two investment firms.
"Pull over here," he told the driver.
"Sir?"
"I won't be long."
The driver obediently stopped. Adam stepped onto the sidewalk, straightened his jacket, and looked up at the narrow entrance.
He remembered the last time he'd walked through those doors: before the wedding, before the endless scrutiny, before he became "Sophia Lancaster's husband."
Now, he was simply Adam Cole again. But he wasn't the same man who had once stood here, full of hesitant ambition.
This time, he had leverage. He had knowledge. He had a system.
And he had no intention of wasting any of them.
---